Golf Club Having A Cam-Locked Insert

ABSTRACT

An adjustable customized golf club, e.g., a golf putter, as well as a method for using the club, wherein the club has a head, a striking surface attachment, and one or more lock fittings that positively lock the striking surface attachment to the head. The striking surface attachment is one of several selectable attachments, each with different performance characteristics, e.g., rebound. The one or more lock fittings positively lock the striking surface attachments to the putter head such that the club components are firmly fixed, yet are still quickly removable and replaceable. One embodiment provides a golf club comprising a head that houses a cam for engagement with posts disposed on a striking surface attachment.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.60/860,207, filed Nov. 21, 2006, which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a golf club, and moreparticularly, to a golf putter having a replaceable striking surfaceattachment.

2. Background of the Invention

Most golfers recognize that putting with accurate direction and distancerequires a club that communicates a precise sense of touch and feel. Thedesire to maximize this precise touch and feel and to accurately controlthe direction of the ball has spawned literally hundreds of golf putterdesigns. Examples of these various designs include increased putter headmass to accommodate short backswings and lengthen ball travel, balancedputter head mass to improve directional accuracy, decreased putter headmass to increase accuracy, and special putter face striking surfacesthat impart a heightened sense of feel and touch in controlling therebound characteristics of the ball. This last aspect, concerning putterface striking surfaces, is the subject of the present application.

Golfers typically favor customized golf clubs that enhance, improve, orcorrect their particular style of play. For manufacturers, thiscustomizing presents a significant challenge, especially when attemptingto sell golf clubs to the mass market at competitive prices. Withputters, manufacturers have experimented extensively with offeringvarieties of putter striking surfaces to accommodate personalpreferences for club feel and touch. Thus far, manufacturers haveoffered two principal ways to purchase customized golf putters: 1)one-time customization, in which the manufacturer typically offers afull line of putters with basic designs, but with a variety of strikingsurfaces designed to appeal to diverse tastes; and 2) adjustablecustomization, in which a manufacturer typically offers amulti-component putter with a putter head that accepts a variety ofinterchangeable striking surface attachments, each suitable fordifferent playing styles or playing conditions. The ultimate goal ofeach of these customization methods is to give the golfer a specializedfeel and control that will persuade the golfer to purchase thecustomized putter instead of a non-customized putter.

In addition to appealing to golfers' desire for customized clubs, someputters attempt to conform to United States Golf Association (USGA)rules to be acceptable for USGA sanctioned play. For customized puttersfeaturing varying striking surfaces or varying attachments,manufacturers desiring USGA conformance must pay particular attention tothe USGA rules concerning the attachment of club components and theadjustability of clubs. Specifically, Appendix II.1.a of the USGA rulesstates that “all parts of the club shall be fixed so that the club isone unit, and it shall have no external attachments except as otherwisepermitted by the Rules.” Concerning adjustability, Appendix II.1.b.ii ofthe USGA rules, adopted to accommodate multi-component putters, statesthat all methods of adjustment require that “all adjustable parts arefirmly fixed and there is no reasonable likelihood of them working looseduring a round.” For one-time customized putters, these rules aretypically no obstacle because construction of the club is completed andfixed at the factory, i.e., the club has a fixed face. For adjustablecustomized putters, however, the multi-components sometimes are notfirmly fixed nor positively locked and can have a tendency to work looseand/or fail to deliver the feel and performance of firmly fixedcomponents.

Turning to examples of the two types of customized putters, U.S. Pat.No. 5,458,332 to Fisher and U.S. Pat. No. 5,531,439 to Azzarelladisclose one-time customized fixed-face golf putter heads havingrecesses into which inserts are wedged and permanently fitted. Inaddition, U.S. Pat. No. 5,674,132 to Fisher also discloses an insertwedged into the recess of a golf putter head, but also adds an adhesivelayer that securely holds the wedge insert within the recess. In addingthis adhesive layer, U.S. Pat. No. 5,674,132 teaches that the adhesivehelps to avoid the loosening of the insert by repeated contact of theinsert bottom with the ground, during normal usage of the club. However,these one-time customized striking surface putters do not accommodatethe desire to fine-tune the putter or to quickly change strikingsurfaces for varied playing conditions. In other words, if a strikingsurface is attached to a putter head by a wedged, permanent fit or awedged fit with adhesive, the striking surface is not quickly removable.

To address this desire to repeatedly change striking surfaces, theadjustable customization designs incorporate multi-component putterheads with replaceable parts, e.g., striking surface inserts or strikingsurface attachments. Applicant's U.S. Pat. No. 5,332,214 discloses agolf putter that includes a multi-component head having an elastomericstriking surface, a support member for the elastomeric striking surface,a weight, a body member, and screws. The body member includes a recessedarea extending substantially across the front of the body member, acentral cavity extending through the body member for receiving theweight and holes through the body member for receiving the screws. Thesupport member includes holes for receiving the screws when the supportmember is fitted into the recessed area. The elastomeric strikingsurface is cast or adhesively secured to the support member, togethermaking a striking surface insert.

Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 4,121,832 to Ebbing, U.S. Pat. No. 5,690,562 toSturm, U.S. Pat. No. 5,746,664 to Reynolds, Jr., U.S. Pat. No. 5,839,974to McAllister, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,921,871 to Fisher all disclose golfputters having an insert fastened to a putter head using threadedscrews. Each of these designs uses screws to firmly fix and positivelysecure the components of the putter head in a manner similar to thattaught by applicant's U.S. Pat. No. 5,332,214 and determined by the USGAto be in conformance with its rules. Unfortunately, this use of screwscomplicates adjusting of the club by requiring tools and frustrates thegolfer's ability to quickly fine-tune his putter or to easily adapt theclub for varying playing conditions. In the end, golfers typically makea one-time adjustment after the purchase of the club and forgo attemptsto customize the club before playing. Thus, if a striking surface isattached to a putter head using a screw, the striking surface is notquickly removable.

In an attempt to simplify adjustable customization, other types ofremovable insert golf putters teach interference fits in lieu of screws.However, in each case the fit is either poorly secured or secured sotightly that further adjustment is impossible. As an example of a poorlysecured fit, U.S. Pat. No. 5,542,675 to Micciche et al. discloses anadaptor that snaps onto the putter head, providing an elastomericstriking surface for the putter head. Micciche explains that the putterhead adaptor is “adapted to engage” around the putter head, but fails todisclose how the adaptor engages the putter head or how loose orrattling fits, caused by variances in manufacturing such as shrinkageand inconsistent dimensions, are avoided. U.S. Pat. No. 5,620,381 toSpalding discloses a removable putting face insert having a resilientrear wedge portion that is sized and positioned to press fit within arecess of the putter head. However, Spalding specifically teaches thatthe press fit arrangement is tight enough such that alteration of theclub by a golfer is virtually impossible. U.S. Pat. No. 5,718,644 toDonofrio discloses a putter head that can retain an insert by frictionalfit, However, Donofrio specifically contemplates that the insert ispermanently attached and impossible to remove, and actually prefers theuse of high strength epoxy for the permanent attachment, oralternatively, welding, brazing, bolts, screws, integral latches, orother mechanical fasteners. Thus, if a striking surface is attached to aputter head using high strength epoxy, welding, brazing, bolts, screws,or integral latches as a permanent attachment, the striking surface isnot quickly removable.

In another attempt at adjustable customization, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,690,561and 5,688,190 to Rowland et al. disclose the removable application oftextured adhesive backed pads to a club face. However, the use oftemporary adhesive will over time fail to provide a positive lock as theeffectiveness of the adhesive deteriorates with use.

Thus, conventional adjustable customized golf putters fail to satisfygolfers' preferences for easily customizing or fine-tuning the putter toadapt to changing playing styles or changing playing conditions. Puttersfastened with screws or similar fasteners can require tools and canprolong replacement of the striking surface insert such that a golferexperimenting with different inserts loses the unique feel of the priorinserts. In short, the striking surface inserts of these types ofputters are not quickly removable. In addition, the golfer can lose thescrews or similar fasteners, making the club useless.

Although simplifying adjustment, the conventional adjustable customizedputters that use interference fits or temporary adhesive also fail topositively secure the insert. The interference fits fail, in part, dueto the many variables in manufacturing, including shrinkage and processvariations that contribute to inconsistent shapes and dimensions. Theconsequence of this inconsistency is an undesirable looseness. Likewise,the temporary adhesives do not provide a positive lock and, in addition,deteriorate over time.

As used herein, “looseness” is defined by any independent movement of aclub component perceptible to a golfer while using the club to strike aball. Perceptible includes feeling or hearing independent movement. Forexample, feeling or hearing a rattle is indicative of looseness.Looseness in a putter prevents replication of the feel of a fixed faceputter, and prevents even acceptable performance of the putter.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is an adjustable customized golf club thatpositively locks a striking surface attachment to a club head andprovides for the quick replacement of the striking surface attachment.The representative embodiment of the golf club is a golf putter.However, as one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate, thepresent invention applies equally well to other types of golf clubs,such as wedges, drivers, fairway woods, and irons. According to therepresentative embodiment, the primary components of the putter includea putter head, a striking surface attachment, and one or more lockfittings. The striking surface attachment is fixed to a front face ofthe putter head by the one or more lock fittings.

With one lock fitting, the present invention positively locks thestriking surface attachment to the putter head without looseness. Asused herein, to “positively lock” or to “provide a positive lock” meansto firmly fix a club component without looseness as if it were part of afixed-face putter, while still allowing quick removal and replacement ofthe component. In a representative embodiment, a player can break thepositive lock by hand and without the use of tools to remove and replacea component, such as the striking surface attachment. As used herein,“toolless” and “toollessly” refer to this removing and replacing ofcomponents without the use of tools. Also, as used herein, a “tool”refers to a device that is primarily designed to join or separatecomponents, and, specifically, does not include a golf tee, coin, key(e.g., a house key or car key), ball mark repairer, or other similardevices that are intended merely to assert force on a component fordisassembly in places not accessible by hand. A positive lock releasablybonds components, but does not create a permanent attachment such as istypically found between a club shaft and club head. In contrast to apositive lock, a permanent attachment can only be broken by adestructive force that damages the components.

Also, as used herein, the terms “quick” and “quickly,” when used inrelation to removing, replacing, or attaching a component, e.g., astriking surface attachment, encompass actions completed with speed andwithout delay, such that, for example, a typical player does not losethe feel of a prior component configuration, i.e., does not forget howthe prior component configuration felt. Examples of componentattachments that satisfy this criteria include a component thatmagnetically bonds to another component; a component that hooks to oronto another component; a component that compresses into or out ofanother component; a component that stretches around another component;a component that slides into, over, around, or on another component; acomponent that snaps into, over, around, or on another component; acomponent that wedges inside or around another component; a componentthat clips into, over, around, or on another component; a component thatrolls into, over, around, or on another component; a component thattwists into, over, around, or on another component; a component thatswells or expands into or around another component; a component thatgrips onto, around, or over another component; and a component thatrotates into engagement with another component. In contrast, examples ofcomponent attachments that do not satisfy the criteria of “quick” and“quickly” include a wedged, permanent fit, a wedged fit with adhesive,and an attachment using screws. Of course, components that can only beseparated by a destructive force, such as with the permanent fit or thewedged fit with adhesive, do not satisfy the criteria of “quick”and“quickly.”

When multiple lock fittings fix the striking surface attachment to theputter head, a first preferred embodiment of the present inventionincludes at least a primary lock fitting and a secondary lock fitting.The primary lock fitting releasably secures the striking surfaceattachment to the front face of the putter head and provides the strong,tight fit required to eliminate looseness. The secondary lock fittingcan also contribute to the strong, tight fit, but at a minimum retainsand aligns the striking surface attachment in the putter head before theprimary lock fitting positively locks the striking surface attachment tothe putter head.

The striking surface attachment can be a single component or can beconstructed of a striking surface and a support member or memberssupporting the striking surface. In either case, the one or more lockfittings act on the single or multiple components to positively lock allcomponents of the putter. In an embodiment, one or more lock fittingscan act on one component of the striking surface attachment whileanother one or more lock fittings of the same or different type can acton other components of the striking surface attachment. For example, thestriking surface attachment may comprise a carrier plate that is lockedto the putter head by one type of lock fitting and a striking surfacemay be locked to the carrier plate by the same or another type of lockfitting.

For a single lock fitting configuration, the lock fitting is a componentthat connects the striking surface attachment to the putter head by abond strong enough to eliminate looseness but weak enough to enable easydisassembly and assembly (which can be toolless). For a multiple lockfitting configuration, the multiple lock fittings together connect thestriking surface attachment to the putter head and provide the bondstrong enough to eliminate looseness, yet nevertheless enable easydisassembly and assembly (which can be toolless). As such, a lockfitting can be mechanical, magnetic, or frictional (i.e., interferencefit). In a preferred embodiment, the lock fitting is a rotatable camthat engages with posts on the striking surface attachment to positivelylock the striking surface attachment to the putter head. This lockfitting may be used in combination with other lock fittings, such as amagnetic fitting, a hook and loop fastener; a press-fit adaptor; aflexible rib; a locking pin; spring-loaded bearings; a quick-turnfastener; a cap nut and threaded extension; a spring rod with acatch-and-release mechanism; a spring-loaded catch-and-release; a springclip; a swell fastener; a spring latch; a flexible strap; a dovetailslot; a lap joint; and a cam-lock. Various types of lock fittingssuitable for this purpose are described in U.S. Provisional ApplicationNo. 60/860,207 and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US2007/0021236, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety. Although these embodiments describe specific types of lockfittings, other equivalent types could suffice without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the present invention.

In addition to the structure described above, the present invention alsoprovides a method for replacing a striking surface attachment of a head.According to this method, a golfer removes the striking surfaceattachment by breaking the bond created by the one or more lockfittings. In a toolless embodiment of the one or more lock fittings, thegolfer uses her hands and possibly an ordinary golf accessory (e.g., agolf tee or ball mark repairer) to disengage the striking surfaceattachment without tools. For example, with a cam-locked strikingsurface attachment, the golfer rotates a cam to align notches thereinwith posts disposed on the striking surface attachment so that theattachment may be removed by simply pulling it away from the head. Withthe striking surface attachment and head separated, the golfer canchoose another striking surface attachment with different performancecharacteristics. The golfer then engages that striking surfaceattachment with the head as required by the one or more lock fittings,e.g., for the cam-locking fastener, the golfer aligns the strikingsurface attachment with the head and inserts the posts into holesprovided in the face of the head. The cam is then rotated to create amechanical lock with the posts and to simultaneously draw the strikingsurface attachment firmly against the face of the head. The golfer canrepeat this method of the present invention as many times as desired, toexperiment with the club in a store before purchasing it, and later, onthe golf course, before commencing a round of golf to adapt to changingplaying preferences and playing conditions. Thus, the bondingcharacteristics of the one or more lock fittings enable quickadjustments, and timely, tactile comparisons of striking surfaceattachments.

Accordingly, an object of the invention is to provide a golf club havinga firmly fixed and positively locked replaceable striking surfaceattachment that can be quickly removed and replaced with anotherstriking surface attachment.

Accordingly, an object of the invention is to provide a golf club havinga firmly fixed and positively locked replaceable striking surfaceattachment that can be quickly and/or toollessly removed and replacedwith another striking surface attachment.

Another object of the present invention is to provide one or more lockfittings to secure a striking surface attachment to a golf club head bya bond strong enough to eliminate looseness of the components but weakenough to enable toolless disassembly and assembly.

Another object of the invention is to provide a golf club that acceptsstriking surface attachments that can be quickly changed on a golfcourse or in a store to enable comparison of one attachment to anotherwithout losing the feel of the prior attachment(s).

Another object of the present invention is to provide a golf putter thatgolfers can quickly fine-tune to accommodate varying playing conditions,putting styles, ball types, and putting strokes.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a golf club havinga firmly fixed and positively locked replaceable striking surfaceattachment that can be quickly and/or toollessly removed and replacedwith another striking surface attachment, and to provide, when necessaryto avoid any potential USGA rules conflict or if otherwise desirable, afurther securing of the striking surface attachment to the head byscrews or other similar means.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention aredescribed in greater detail in the detailed description of theinvention, and the appended drawings. Additional features and advantagesof the invention will be set forth in the description that follows, willbe apparent from the description, or may be learned by practicing theinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an adjustable customized putter,according to a representative embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 2A-2C are schematic diagrams of exploded perspective views of anadjustable customized putter with magnetic lock fittings, according to arepresentative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2D is a schematic diagram of an enlarged view of the strikingsurface shown in FIG. 2C.

FIG. 3A is a schematic diagram of a perspective view of a strikingsurface attachment and putter head having a cam-locking interface,according to a representative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3B is a schematic diagram of a perspective view of a strikingsurface attachment and locking cam, according to a representativeembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3C is a schematic diagram of a perspective view of a strikingsurface attachment and locking cam in an unlocked position, according toa representative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3D is a schematic diagram of a perspective view of a strikingsurface attachment and locking cam in a locked position, according to arepresentative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3E is a schematic diagram of a perspective view of a putter headhaving a cam-locking interface, according to a representative embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 3F is a schematic diagram of a perspective view of a strikingsurface attachment and locking cam in an unlocked position, according toa representative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3G is a schematic diagram of a perspective view of a putter headhaving a cam-locking interface with a lever-actuated cam, according toan embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is an adjustable customized golf club with areplaceable striking surface attachment, and a method for replacing thestriking surface attachment. The representative embodiment of the golfclub is a golf putter.

Referring to FIG. 1, the present invention, broadly stated, includes aputter head 1, a striking surface attachment 2, and one or more lockfittings 3. The configuration of putter head 1 is designed to match theconfiguration of striking surface attachment 2 such that the twocomponents fit squarely and tightly together. For example, putter head 1can have a cavity into which a matching shaped portion of strikingsurface attachment 2 fits. The one or more lock fittings 3 positivelylock striking surface attachment 2 to putter head 1 such that strikingsurface attachment 2 does not loosen, yet still permit quick removal ofstriking surface attachment 2. The result is a firmly fixed but quicklybreakable bond. In a further representative embodiment, a player cantoollessly form and break the firmly fixed but quickly breakable bond.In another representative embodiment, a player can use a tool to quicklybreak or unlock a bond provided by one or more lock fittings.

Although FIG. 1 shows a single lock fitting positively locking strikingsurface attachment 2 to putter head 1, more than one lock fitting can beused to create this unique bond. With multiple lock fittings, thepresent invention includes at least a primary lock fitting and asecondary lock fitting. Either one or both of the primary lock fittingand the secondary lock fitting provide the bond strong enough toeliminate looseness but weak enough to enable quick disassembly andassembly.

Striking surface attachment 2 is one of a plurality of striking surfaceattachments that can be fixed to putter head 1. Each striking surfaceattachment has differing rebound and hardness characteristics, and canbe made of elastomeric or non-elastomeric materials Although shown as asingle component in FIG. 1, striking surface attachment 2 can also beconstructed of two or more components. For example, striking surfaceattachment 2 could comprise a striking surface and one or more supportmembers supporting the striking surface. Such a striking surface andsupport member may in turn be attached to each other by a lock fittingdescribed herein.

Thus, with a plurality of striking surface attachments and the uniquebond provided by one or more lock fittings 3, the present inventionprovides an adjustable customized putter that can be quickly fine-tunedto an individual's preferred feel to cooperate with differentlyconstructed golf balls or to respond to the variable conditions ofputting greens. Using the present invention, a golfer can quickly changestriking surface attachments without losing the feel of the replacedstriking surface attachment, enabling her to compare the differencesbetween the striking surface attachments. Once a golfer finds a strikingsurface attachment that fits her needs, one or more lock fittings 3positively lock striking surface attachment 2 to putter head 1 to createthe secured, firmly fixed attachment.

In light of the above-described primary components of the presentinvention, the following discussion describes examples of preferredembodiments of the structures and methods of the present invention.Although the present invention is applicable to any adjustablecustomized putter with a striking surface attachment positively locked(but quickly removable) by one or more lock fittings to a putter head,the following description and schematics outline specifically designedcomponents that implement this inventive concept. These specific designsshould not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention,but rather as examples of putter components and lock fittings that couldbe used to practice the invention. As would be apparent to one ofordinary skill in the art, many other variations on the components arepossible, including different shapes, geometries, and componentconfigurations. In addition, to provide a complete putter, many otherancillary components could be added to the primary components of thepresent invention, including, for example, a putter shaft and hoselAccordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined not by theembodiments illustrated, but by the appended claims and theirequivalents.

With regard to the drawings, wherever possible, the same referencenumbers are used throughout to refer to the same or like parts.

Referring to FIGS. 2A-2C, a first preferred embodiment of the presentinvention uses magnets as the one or more lock fittings 3. In FIG. 2A,magnetic discs 24 positioned in recesses 22 of putter head 1 positivelylock striking surface attachment 2 to putter head 1. In FIG. 2B, themagnetic sheet 36 adhered to putter head 1 positively locks strikingsurface attachment 2 to putter head 1. FIG. 2C illustrates the use of afirst magnet 32 on the putter head 1 and a second magnet 49 on thestriking surface attachment 2 to provide the positive lock. In thisexample, the first magnet 32 and second magnet 40 are magnetic sheets.

For each of the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 2A-2C, an example of asuitable magnet is a multiple pole magnet, such as a Plastalloy 6™magnet produced by Electrodyne of Batavia, Ohio. However, as one ofordinary skill in the art would appreciate, other types of magnets couldbe used, including various types of solid and bonded magnets.

In both FIGS. 2A and 2B, at least a portion of striking surfaceattachment 2 must be metallic or magnetic to facilitate the bond withmagnetic discs 24 and magnetic sheet 36. For example, in FIGS. 2A and2B, striking surface attachment 2 comprises a support member 26 with ametallic back plate 27 mounted on one side and a striking surface 28mounted on the other. Alternatively, metallic back plate 27 can be amagnetic sheet with a polarity opposite to the polarities of magneticdiscs 24 and magnetic sheet 36. Also, alternatively, the locations ofmagnetic discs 24 and metallic back plate 27 or magnetic sheet 36 couldbe switched such that magnetic discs 24 are on striking surfaceattachment 2 while metallic back plate 27 or magnetic sheet 36 are onputter head 1.

Although the magnetic bond alone can positively lock striking surfaceattachment 2 to putter head 1, both FIGS. 2A and 2B incorporate asecondary lock fitting by having a cavity 18 in the front face 16 ofputter head 1. Cavity 18 is sized and shaped to receive striking surfaceattachment 2 in a tight, secured fit. Through minimizing tolerancesbetween cavity 18 and striking surface attachment 2, by for exampleusing all injection molded components, the secondary lock fittingprovided by cavity 18 contributes to the positive locking of strikingsurface attachment 2.

Alternatively, magnetic discs 24 and magnetic sheet 36 could be hook andloop fasteners, or other similar planar fasteners that provide apositive lock. In such cases, metallic back plate 27 would be made of anappropriate complementary surface.

For FIGS. 2A and 2B, removing striking surface attachment 2 from putterhead 1 is accomplished by applying a force to striking surfaceattachment sufficient to overcome the magnetic field between magneticdiscs 24 and metallic back plate 27 or magnetic sheet 36. Preferably, agolfer inserts a golf tee into either of passageways 20, which extendfrom front face 16 to the exterior of putter head 1. The golf tee breaksthe positive lock and pushes striking surface attachment 2 out of cavity18. Alternatively, a player pulls striking surface attachment 2 out ofcavity 18 by inserting his finger into depression 21 located on thefront toe (as in FIG. 2A) and/or the rear heel of putter head 1, oranywhere along the perimeter of front face 16. As another alternative,cavity 18 can be deeper in one section such that pushing strikingsurface attachment 2 in the deeper area raises the opposite end ofstriking surface attachment 2 for quick removal.

FIG. 2C illustrates an exploded view of a putter that uses magnets forthe one or more lock fittings 3. As shown, the putter includes a putterhead 1 that includes a metal core 31, a sheet magnet 32 attached to theface of the metal core 31, and a shell 34 molded over and bonded to theentire surface of metal core 31, except for the face of metal core 31.Shell 34 is preferably made of Surlyn™, Putter head 1 also includes ashaft 33 attached to an opening 35 in shell 34 and metal core 31, aswell as fasteners 37 that join sheet magnet 32, metal core 31, and shell34 together. Fasteners 37 also preferably extend beyond sheet magnet 32to align striking surface attachment 2 onto putter head 1, by engagingopenings in one or more components of striking surface attachment 2.

Striking surface attachment 2 includes a striking surface 38 molded ontoat least the face of a support member 39, and a sheet magnet 40 attachedto a face of support member 39 opposite striking surface 38. Strikingsurface 38 is preferably an elastomer molded around the front face andedges of support member 39. Support member 39 is preferably made ofmetal. To improve the bond between striking surface 38 and supportmember 39, striking surface 38 preferably includes strips 42 that alignwith grooves (not shown) in support member 39. Sheet magnet 40 has apolarity opposite of sheet magnet 32 to provide the positive lockbetween striking surface attachment 2 and putter head 1. Moreover, sheetmagnet 40 and support member 39 preferably have openings 41 that receivefasteners 37 to align striking surface attachment 2 with putter head 1.

To remove striking surface attachment 2 from putter head 1 of the putterof FIG. 2C, a player must apply a force to striking surface attachmentsufficient to overcome the magnetic field between sheet magnets 32 and40. Preferably, a golfer grasps striking surface 38 and pulls strikingsurface attachment 2 away from putter head 1 to quickly break thepositive lock. To assist a player's grasp of striking surface attachment2, striking surface 38 preferably includes a grip member, such as aflange or ridge 43, an indentation 44, or a tab 45, as shown in FIG. 2D.An indentation could also be provided in putter head 1 to assist aplayer's grasp of striking surface attachment 2.

Referring to FIGS. 3A-3F, a further preferred embodiment of the presentinvention is a lock fitting that involves the insertion of posts or pinsinto openings in a front face of the putter head and the capture of theposts or pins by a locking device. In this embodiment, posts 604 and 606are inserted into openings 614, 616 and are captured by a rotating cam610. The lock fitting described in FIGS. 3A-3F may be utilized as aprimary lock fitting or as a secondary lock fitting that is used inconjunction with a primary lock fitting of another type, such as themagnetic lock fitting described above with respect to FIGS. 2A-2D. Forexample, the magnetic lock fitting could serve as a secondary lockfitting that holds an insert in place sufficient to allow a golfer totry out the putter with the insert and then quickly change out theinsert for another insert. Then, after the golfer has chosen a desiredinsert, the lock fitting described in FIGS. 3A-3F could serve as theprimary lock fitting that secures the desired insert to the front faceof the putter head and provides a strong, tight fit without looseness,in compliance with applicable USGA rules.

As shown in FIG. 3A, a putter head 601 may house the rotatingcylindrical cam 610 such that a user-engageable end 612 protrudes or isotherwise accessible from an outer surface of the putter head 601. Theuser-engageable end 612 may have a hex key configuration, as shown, suchthat it is engageable by a corresponding tool for quick adjustment.Alternatively, the user-engageable end 612 may have a different toolinterface or may have a toolless interface such that a user can rotatethe cam 610 manually or by a golf accessory, such as a ball marker, golftee, coin, key (e.g., a house key or car key), ball mark repairer, orother similar device. Such a toolless user-engageable end 612 may have athumbscrew, a lever, a wing (e.g., as on a wing nut), a slit formedthereon for rotation by engagement with a coin or ball marker, holesengageable by insertion of prongs of a ball mark repairer or divot tool,or any other suitable interface. As an example, FIG. 3G illustratestoolless user-engageable end comprising a lever 607. The putter head 601has been removed from view in FIGS. 3B-3D and FIG. 3F for clarity.

As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3E, the cam 610 may be housed within acylindrical bore 611 in the putter head 601 and is free to rotate, forexample, by at least about 180 degrees. In assembling the putter, thecam 610 may be inserted into the bore 611 from its open end (in theforefront of the view shown in FIG. 3A) and held in place by a holdingpin or other element (not shown), which may be inserted into hole 635 inthe surface 608 of the putter head 601 and which limits the movement ofcam 610 in an axial direction while still allowing cam 610 to rotateabout its axis. The cam 610 may have a corresponding cutout or slot 634for reception of the holding pin or other element so as to preventmovement of the cam 610 outward from the bore 611 (see FIGS. 3B-3D andFIG. 3F). The cutout 634 and holding pin may also be configured to limitor stop rotation of the cam 610 in one or both directions. For example,the cutout 634 may be a slot through half of the thickness of thecylindrical cam 610 and the holding pin may protrude into the cutout 634by less than the distance of the radius of the cylindrical cam 610 suchthat it would prevent further counter-clockwise rotation of the cam 610as shown in FIG. 3A. Rotation is prevented by the holding pin, whichabuts a part of the slot 634. Starting from the position of cam 610shown in FIG. 3A, upon rotation of the cam 610 by about 180 degrees inthe clockwise direction, the holding pin would accordingly limit anyfurther rotation in that direction by abutting an opposite part of theslot 634.

As shown in FIGS. 3A-3C and FIG. 3F, the striking surface attachment 602is attached to the putter head 601 by bringing it in proximity of theputter head front face 608 such that the posts 604, 606 are aligned withopenings 614, 616 in the front face 608. The openings 614, 616 in theface 608 are configured to be aligned with portions of the cam 610having notches 622 and 624. As shown, the notches 622, 624 are cutthrough approximately half the thickness of the cam 610 and aregenerally equal in width to the width of the corresponding post 604, 606so as to allow the posts 604, 606 to pass through the cam 610 withoutinterference.

The posts 604, 606 may be generally cylindrical in shape, having alength that is about equal to or somewhat larger than the diameter ofthe cam 610. Each post 604, 606 has a circular cutout 626, 628 having aradius of curvature approximately equal to the radius of the cam 610.Upon insertion of the posts 604, 606 into the openings 614, 616 (seeFIGS. 3C and 3F), the cam 610 may be rotated in a clockwise direction bya hex key (or other suitable engagement device) so that the non-notchedportions 630, 632 of the cam 610 come into engagement with the circularcutouts 626, 628 of the posts 604, 606, as shown in FIG. 3D. In doingso, the non-notched portions 630, 632 may come into contact with, andoccupy the space defined by, the cutouts 626, 628 to create aninterference fit and to retain the posts 604, 606 within the putter head601 in a locked position. In this manner, the posts 604, 606, as well asthe entire striking surface attachment 602, are drawn toward putter head601 and held snugly in place.

The specific dimensions of the components described herein may beconfigured such that a friction fit is created in addition to theinterference fit between the posts 604, 606 and the cam 610 to helpprevent a tendency for the cam to rotate into the open unlocked position(FIGS. 3A-3C and 3F). For example, the striking surface attachment 602may have a non-planar shape, either by design or by variances inmanufacturing. Cam 610 can pull against posts 604, 606 to flatten outsuch non-planar shapes and provide a further friction fit.

In one implementation, the striking surface attachment 602 may be designwith a slight bow such that its ends come into contact with the putterhead front face 608 before a center portion of the striking surfaceattachment does. Thus, when the cam 610 is rotated from the unlockedposition to the locked position, the posts 604, 606 are drawn into theopenings 614, 616 by applying a force against the bowing force builtinto the striking surface attachment, thereby pretensioning the post-camengagement.

In another implementation, the striking surface attachment 602 may betwisted, rippled, or otherwise non-planar due to manufacturingvariances, such that certain portions of it contact the putter headfront face 608 before other portions. Thus, when the cam 610 is rotatedfrom the unlocked position to the locked position, the posts 604, 606are drawn into the openings 614, 616 such that the striking surfaceattachment 602 is pulled against the front face 608 and flattened out.The force required to pull the striking surface attachment flattenthereby pretensions the post-cam engagement. In this manner, materialsthat provide better “feel” (e.g., elastomer) but are often susceptibleto manufacturing variances, can be used for the striking surfaceattachment 602, because the planar putter front face 608 (e.g., madefrom materials that are easier to machine flat, such as metal) and thepost-cam mechanism pull the striking surface attachment 602 flat.

The scope of the present invention also encompasses various otherconfigurations that create a tight fit between the posts 604, 606 andthe cam 610 such that rotation of the cam is prevented.

The lock fitting described herein has significant and surprisingbenefits over conventional attachment means. By utilizing a mechanicalstructural lock in conjunction with a frictional fit, the cam lockfitting enables the striking surface attachment 602 to be held firmlyagainst the face of the club head 601 while under constant tension. Byproviding a non-planar striking surface attachment (e.g., with a bowedshape) in alternative embodiments, the tension force with which theattachment 602 is held against the face 608 is increased. The mechanicalstructural lock formed by the non-notched portions 630, 632 of the cam610 being located in the cutouts 626, 628 of the posts 604, 606substantially prevents any displacement of the striking surfaceattachment 602 in a direction away from and perpendicular to the surface608 of the club head 601, the integrity of any frictional forcesnotwithstanding.

To remove or replace the striking surface attachment 602, the cam 610 isrotated by its user-engageable end 612 back into the unlocked positionshown in FIGS. 3A-3C and 3F. Then, the striking surface attachment 602may simply be pulled out from the openings 614, 616 since the notches622, 624 are so aligned to allow the posts 604, 606 to pass. A new ordifferent striking surface attachment 602 may then be attached aspreviously described.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the striking surfaceattachment 602 may comprise two or more components and may includedifferent types of lock fittings in addition to the cam-locked fittingdescribed in FIGS. 3A-3F. For example, the striking surface attachment602 may comprise a carrier element 618 and a striking surface 620. Thecarrier element 618 may include posts 604, 606 as described above forcam-locked attachment to the putter head 601 while the striking surface620 and the carrier element 618 may lock together by a different lockfitting, such as a magnetic or adhesive fitting. Any additionalcomponents may be locked to one or more of the striking surface 620 andthe carrier element 618, or any other element that may be a part of thestriking surface attachment 602.

In a further embodiment, the carrier element 618 and the strikingsurface 620 can be attached by a dovetail attachment similar to thatdescribed with reference to FIGS. 14B-14G of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 60/860,207, which is incorporated herein by reference.With such a configuration, the striking surface 620 could be recessedwithin the putter head cavity so that it could not be removed withoutfirst unlocking the cam and removing the striking surface attachment(which would meet applicable USGA rules). As one of ordinary skill inthe art would appreciate, there are other possible combinations ofattachment means between the striking surface 620 and the carrierelement 618, and the carrier element 618 and the putter head 601.

In other embodiments of the present invention, lock fittings may beprovided that supplement the cam lock fitting to connect the strikingsurface attachment (whether comprised of one component or more) to theclub head 601. For example, striking surface attachment 602 shown inFIG. 3A can have a magnet that adheres to a metal or magnetic face ofthe putter head 601. Various other lock fittings may be provided incombination with the cam lock fitting described therein to provide anadditional layer of security, such as those described in U.S.Provisional Application No. 60/860,207. In use, for example, a golfermay selectively attach a variety of striking surface attachments to thehead using a magnetic fitting during a practice or warm-up session todetermine which attachment is best suited for the current playconditions. When a particular striking surface attachment is chosen, thegolfer may then further secure the attachment to the head via the camlock fitting described herein. Other lock fittings may likewise be usedin combination with the cam lock fitting.

Each of the above embodiments uses one or more lock fittings topositively lock and firmly fix the putter components together. Thepresent invention therefore provides a critical fit within a rangebetween an ineffective fit that is loose and a tight fit that isburdensome to interchange, i.e., is not quickly interchangeable.However, because the rules and rules decisions of golf governing bodies(e.g., USGA, Professional Golfers' Association (PGA), and The Royal &Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews) can be inconsistent and subject tofrequent change, the present invention allows for the use of fastenersthat require tools as an additional securing means for releasablysecuring a striking surface attachment to a putter head. Specifically,if a particular interpretation of a rule were to require a fastener thatrequires tools, e.g., a screw, the present invention adds this fastenerin addition to the one or more lock fittings.

For example, the additional securing means could include at least onepassageway in the putter head aligned with at least one opening in thestriking surface attachment, and at least one elongate connectingmember, e.g., a screw, positioned within the passageway and opening, andholding the components together. In this manner, the one or more lockfittings still provide the positive locking, making the additionalfastener a feature necessary solely to comply with official rules, butnot to achieve a component fit comparable to that of a fixed-faceputter. A golfer could still quickly replace striking surfaceattachments to find a desired feel by using only the one or more lockfittings, but when necessary to conform to rules prohibiting readilychangeable parts, the golfer would simply add a screw or some otherfastener to the putter.

Various methods of removing the attachments of the present inventionhave been shown by way of example. These methods are intended to bepurely exemplary of the invention, and other methods of manuallydisengaging the attachments may be employed.

In addition, although the preferred embodiments of the present inventiondescribe specific component configurations, one of ordinary skill in theart would understand that combinations and modifications to theseconfigurations are possible. For instance, although a hosel is shown asa component of the golf putter of the present invention in someembodiments, it should be understood that a hosel is not necessary toaccomplish the objects of the present invention. Further, although someembodiments of the present invention incorporate more than one lockfitting, it should be understood that for each embodiment, the method ofattaching the striking surface attachment could employ one or more lockfittings. In addition, although some embodiments describe the strikingsurface attachment as having the separate components of a strikingsurface and a support member, these components could be integrated intoa single piece such that the striking surface attachment is a singlecomponent.

As apparent to those skilled in the art, various modifications andvariations can be made in the manually replaceable striking surfaceattachments of the present invention and in the construction of theseattachments without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.As an example, striking surfaces may be made from numerous types ofmaterials, including but not limited to rubber, plastics, elastomers,non-elastomers, titanium, aluminum, and copper, as well as other metalsusable in the golf club art.

In addition to changing striking surface properties with differentmaterials, the loft of the golf putter can be adjusted in variousmanners. Golfers typically prefer a putter loft anywhere from zero toeight degrees. Changing loft can be accomplished by varying the angle ofthe front of the striking surface, or by varying the straightness of theback side of the striking surface so that when the striking surfaceattachment is coupled to the putter head, a certain degree of loft canbe achieved.

In practicing the present invention, the striking surface of thestriking surface attachment may include either an elastomeric ornon-elastomeric material, depending upon the golfer's preference.Preferred elastomeric striking surfaces include any of the elastomersdefined in U.S. Pat. No. 4,422,638, assigned to the assignee of thepresent application and incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety. Preferably the elastomeric striking surface has the controlledproperties defined in the '638 patent. However, according to the presentinvention, since the striking surface of the putter is quickly changed,the elastomeric striking surface can be suitably chosen to meet theplaying characteristics desired by the individual golfer, with thosecharacteristics being changed simply by selecting an elastomer havingdifferent touch, feel, hardness, and rebound characteristics.

As apparent to one skilled in the art, various polymers, includingpolymers having different chemical formulations, can be fabricated tomeet the hardness and rebound characteristics essential to provide anelastomeric striking surface in accordance with the present invention.Polyester elastomers marketed by DuPont under the trade name HYTREL arepresently preferred materials. HYTREL 8122, which provides a fast orhigh rebound, and HYTREL 4069, which provides a slow or low rebound, areillustrative of such elastomers. Moreover, the thickness of theelastomeric surface can vary. Although it has been found that athickness of three-sixteenths ( 3/16″) inch is acceptable, the thicknesscan be increased or decreased. “Elastomer” as used herein is intended todesignate any synthetic plastic material that provides the reboundcharacteristics useful in a putter face.

The characteristics of the putter can also be modified by judiciousselection of the material for the putter head. Thus, preferably theputter head comprises metal such as stainless steel or brass, but againcan be of a different metal, or plastic, to provide varyingcharacteristics in the putter.

In addition to customizing the putter by selecting specific materialsfor the putter head, striking surface, and the striking surfaceattachment, a further preferred embodiment of the present invention usesthe same or similar process to make each of these components. Usingmaterials that are all injection molded (rather than using someinjection molded components and some cast components) achieves a tighterfit between the components, and avoids dimensional variances due to suchfactors as dissimilar coefficients of thermal expansion and inconsistentmanufacturing tolerances. As an example of this embodiment, both theputter head and striking surface attachment can be made of athermoplastic material such that the striking surface attachment fitssecurely in the putter head without looseness. With accurate alignmentand fit, this positive locking of the striking surface attachment couldserve as either the primary, secondary, or sole lock fitting forattaching the striking surface attachment to the putter head. Inaddition to a thermoplastic material, composites are an example of othersuitable materials.

Although this specification illustrates the present invention using therepresentative embodiment of a golf putter one of ordinary skill in theart would appreciate that the structures, functions, and methodsdescribed herein apply equally well to other types of golf clubs.Indeed, the head, the striking surface attachment, and the one or morelock fittings of the present invention could be components of clubs suchas wedges, drivers, fairway woods, and irons. Moreover, the presentinvention provides these other types of clubs with most, if not all, ofthe same benefits described above in the context of a golf putter.

Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled inthe art from consideration of the specification and practice of theinvention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification andexamples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spiritof the invention being indicated by the claims.

The foregoing disclosure of embodiments of the present invention hasbeen presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is notintended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise formsdisclosed. Many variations and modifications of the embodimentsdescribed herein will be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art inlight of the above disclosure. The scope of the invention is to bedefined only by the claims, and by their equivalents.

1. A golf club comprising: a head having one or more openings in a facethereof; a rotatable cam disposed within the head and extendinggenerally along the length of the head, the cam having one or morenotches configured to be aligned with the one or more openings; and areplaceable striking surface attachment having one or more posts,wherein the cam is rotatable to a first position that allows theinsertion of the one or more posts into the one or more openings and isrotatable to a second position in which the one or more posts areretained in a locked position in the one or more openings.
 2. The golfclub of claim 1, wherein each of the one or more posts has a circularcutout that engages with a non-notched portion of the cam to lock thestriking surface attachment onto the head.
 3. The golf club of claim 1,wherein the cam has a user-engageable portion to rotate the cam, theuser-engageable portion having an interface that engages with a tool. 4.The golf club of claim 3, wherein the interface is a hex key interface.5. The golf club of claim 1, wherein the cam has a user-engageableportion to rotate the cam, the user-engageable portion having aninterface that allows for engagement and rotation by a user eithermanually or with a golf accessory.
 6. The golf club of claim 5, whereinthe interface allows for engagement and rotation with any one or more ofa ball marker, divot tool, or golf tee.
 7. The golf club of claim 1,wherein the striking surface attachment has a non-planar configurationprior to attachment to the head.
 8. The golf club of claim 1, whereinthe cam, upon rotation, draws the posts into the openings to create atight fit.
 9. The golf club of claim 1, wherein the striking surfaceattachment comprises a support member and a striking face.
 10. The golfclub of claim 9, wherein the support member and the striking face areattached to each other by a magnetic fitting.
 11. The golf club of claim1, wherein the cam comprises a slot that engages with a pin such thatthe rotational motion of the cam is limited to about 180 degrees. 12.The golf club of claim 11, wherein the pin is inserted through a hole inthe face of the head to engage with the slot in the cam.
 13. A golf clubcomprising: a head having two openings in a face thereof; a retainingmember disposed within the head; and a replaceable striking surfaceattachment having two engagement members, each of the engagement membershaving a circular cutout configured to engage a portion of the retainingmember, wherein each of the engagement members are retained by theretaining member upon a rotation of the retaining member to thereby holdthe replaceable striking surface attachment firmly against the face ofthe head.
 14. The golf club of claim 13, wherein the retaining member isa cylindrical cam having two notched portions that are aligned with thetwo engagement members of the striking surface attachment.
 15. The golfclub of claim 14, wherein the cam is rotated to create an interferencefit between the two engagement members and two non-notched portions ofthe cam.
 16. The golf club of claim 13, wherein the rotation of theretaining member is limited to about 180 degrees.
 17. The golf club ofclaim 13, wherein the retaining member is configured to be rotatedmanually.
 18. The golf club of claim 13, wherein the retaining member isconfigured to be rotated with the aid of a golf accessory. 19 A methodof attaching a striking surface attachment to a face of a golf club,comprising: providing a cylindrical cam within a head of the golf club,the cam extending generally from a heel portion of the head to a toeportion of the head; placing the striking surface attachment intoabutment with the face, the striking surface attachment having at leastone cam-engaging portion that extends through at least one opening inthe face; and rotating the cam to engage the at least one cam-engagingportion of the striking surface attachment such that the strikingsurface attachment is thereby held firmly against the face of the golfclub.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the at least one cam-engagingportion is a post having a circular cutout that receives a portion ofthe cam, upon rotation, to create an interference fit that holds thestriking surface attachment firmly against the face of the golf club.